Many players will hear bad news this week. They are being sent down a level, or released. Many will be given encouraging words and told they were caught up "in the numbers."

In other words, teams have better players; or players it needs to keep on the roster for now.

If Brad Penny pitches well today against the Twins, then Clay Buchholz will likely be headed to Triple-A this weekend. Buchholz pitched great this spring, but it's a numbers thing.

Over at the Blue Jays camp, right-handed pitcher Mike MacDonald of Camden (and the University of Maine) was released, according to Baseball America. MacDonald, 27, a 15th-round draft pick in 2004. He reached Triple-A and was 1-4 with a 3.47 ERA last year in 30 games (10 starts).

Look at several positions in the Red Sox organizations and you see crowds. You could pick 12 to 14 players who could be in the outfield this month at Hadlock Field. There are four spots (and two will be taken by Josh Reddick and Bubba Bell).

Cuts will likely come today or Friday at the Red Sox minor league complex. Some will catch on with other teams, others will go to the independent leagues, and others will pack away the glove.

Now for some notes:

Sea Dogs first baseman Aaron Bates has been playing some outfield in minor league games. Doesn't hurt to be versatile ... Conversely, outfielder Zach Daeges has been playing some first base. Daeges looks to be headed to Pawtucket, for now.

Catcher Mark Wagner, first baseman Lars Anderson and infielder Ryan Khoury are among the minor leaguers who will play in the Red Sox exhibitions against the Mets in New York on Friday and Saturday.

Former Sea Dogs and Red Sox outfielder Brandon Moss looks to have secured the starting right field job for the Pirates. He played in Wednesday's game, going 0-for-3 ... former Sea Dogs pitcher Daniel Haigwood is trying to catch on with the Pirates. He took the loss Wednesday, giving up a ninth-inning home run to Chip Ambres.

Lefty Chris George made his first major league spring appearance with Boston Wednesday. George, 29, was a first-round draft pick of the Royals in 1998. He pitched for Kansas City in the majors from 2001 to '04. He's been in Triple-A since, with the Royals, Marlins and Blue Jays. He pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday, with a strikeout and a hit-batter.

E-mail this entry to a friend